People must check validity of visa before travelling

Major General Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri, Director-General of the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in Dubai, GDRFA-Dubai, has said that anyone who wishes to invite their relatives or friends to visit the UAE should use legitimate means and proper and legal channels to get a visa to the UAE in order to avoid any kind of fraud.

He said that there are many tourist companies accredited in the country and they deal correctly with the Residency Departments in the UAE.

Maj. Gen. Al Marri made his remarks during an inspection tour of external offices including the free zone at Dubai International Airport, Al Tawar Centre in Deira and Al Manara Centre in Bur Dubai. GDRFA-Dubai is working to improve its services and to raise customer satisfaction as well as make the work as smooth and easy as possible. These visits are part of the annual inspection entry permits and residence sector at the GDRFA.

Maj. Gen. Al-Marri was accompanied during the inspection tour by Brigadier Salah Saif bin Salloum, Assistant of the Director-General for entry permits and residence, as well as a delegation of officers and heads of sections from other departments.

"Applying for a tourist, visit or any other visa must be done through official channels. The legitimate cost of a visa is specified by the Ministry of Interior, just a minor fee. If people pay a large amount of money, which could be up to Dh10,000, this means it is a forgery," said Maj. Gen. Al-Marri, calling on the public to check the validity of their visas before traveling by calling the 'Amer Service ' toll-free number or accessing the GDRFA-Dubai website.

He added that all airlines that come through Dubai International Airport do not print any airline ticket before checking the validity of the visa. According to standard procedure, airlines must first confirm the validity of the visa via a link to the GDRFA-Dubai.

Maj. Gen. Al Marri said that the GDRFA-Dubai coordinates with all airlines using Dubai airport not to allow any traveller to embark before ensuring that they hold a valid visa to the country. "GDRFA-Dubai is advising the public, either inside or outside the country, to ensure the credibility of the tourist company and to check the validity of the visas they offer."


 

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